Communitech Names Chris Albinson Next CEO

Canada’s champion in Silicon Valley to return home, lead global innovation hub and support Canadian economic resurgence following COVID-19

KITCHENER, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After a comprehensive search led by Communitech’s Board of Directors with the help of executive recruitment firm Spencer Stuart, Communitech is delighted to announce Chris Albinson as its new CEO.

“Like Communitech, Chris has dedicated his career to helping tech-driven firms start, grow and succeed,” said Dave Caputo, chair of Communitech’s Board of Directors and founder of Trusscore. “In his role as CEO, Chris brings a treasure trove of experience, insights and relationships back home to Communitech and to Canada. His proven excellence in venture capital, growth coaching and his lifelong commitment to supporting Canada's innovation economy make him a perfect fit for this role."

In Canadian circles, Albinson is best known for his role as a co-founder of C100, a nonprofit organization that supports Canadian technology entrepreneurship and investment. He brought Canadian talent and values to Silicon Valley during his nearly 20 years there. He has invested in 37 Canadian founders coast to coast including PixStream, ImagicTV, Abatis and Passwordbox, while also helping global brands like Pinterest, DocuSign and Turo to scale and issue IPOs. In recognition of his support for Canadian innovation, Albinson was honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

“I've always deeply admired Communitech and the work it does to support Canadian firms and the Canadian ecosystem,” said Albinson, who has long divided his time between Silicon Valley and his family's summer home in Eastern Ontario. "Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, productivity growth and technology adoption are going to be absolutely essential to Canadian economic success. I'm so excited to return home to help Communitech and Canada drive an economic resurgence rooted in innovation.”

Albinson will take the helm from Communitech's long-time CEO, Iain Klugman, who had planned to step down in 2020, but extended his tenure at the board’s request when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Klugman praised the selection of his successor.

“I'm incredibly proud to have led this great organization for the past 17 years,” Klugman said. “In passing the torch to this great Canadian innovator, I have total confidence in Communitech's future. Waterloo Region and Canada can count on Chris to boldly take Communitech from strength to even greater strength."

Albinson will assume the role of CEO at Communitech on May 17, 2021. He will begin his tenure virtually and plans to relocate to Waterloo Region with his family this fall.